The disclosure relates to the field of CD40 activating proteins. More specifically, it is disclosed herein recombinant proteins with CD40 agonist antibodies or their antigen-binding fragments fused or linked to CD40 ligand. Also disclosed is the advantageous use of such CD40 activating proteins, in particular for inducing immune responses directed to delivered antigens such as viral or cancer antigens.

Disclosed herein are compositions and methods for detecting biological molecules and biomarkers associated with prostate cancer. Disclosed herein are compositions and methods for detecting biological molecules and biomarkers associated with castration-resistant prostate cancer wherein such biological molecules and biomarkers comprise androgen-receptor splice variants that can be used to develop effective therapeutic regimens for prostate cancer patients. Disclosed herein are methods of using biological molecules and biomarkers related to androgen-receptor splice variants for assessing therapeutic resistance to drugs such as enzalutamide and abiraterone.

GDF15 polypeptides, constructs comprising GDF15, and mutants thereof are provided. In various embodiments the GDF15 polypeptides, constructs comprising GDF15, and mutants thereof, can be of use in the treatment or ameliorating a metabolic disorder. In various embodiments the metabolic disease or disorder is type 2 diabetes, obesity, dyslipidemia, elevated glucose levels, elevated insulin levels and diabetic nephropathy.

The present invention relates to a novel genotype of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome viruses and use thereof as an immunogenic composition. The severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome viruses of the present invention are genetically different from conventional severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome viruses and are novel viruses taxonomically belonging to three sub-groups of genotype B. In view of the vaccine property that specific genotype viruses alone show only limited protective potential, the novel viruses of the present invention may be advantageously used as a vaccine having excellent cross-immunogenicity for SFTSV.

The present disclosure relates to a composition for inducing immune response comprising a glycoengineered antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof that is specific for an antigen portion having a receptor binding domain (RBD) of a surface protein of a virus. The present disclosure also relates to an immune combination and a method for treating an infection by a virus.

Erythrocyte-binding moieties coupled to tolerizing antigens are described. Provided for are peptidic ligands having sequences that specifically bind, or as antibodies or fragments thereof that provide specific binding, to erythrocytes. The erythrocyte-binding moieties may be prepared as molecular fusions with therapeutic agents, tolerizing antigens, or targeting peptides. Immunotolerance may be created by use of the fusions and choice of an antigen on a substance for which tolerance is desired.

Embodiments relate to novel vaccines against human papillomavirus (HPV) and HPV-related diseases, including multiple types of cancers. The HPV vaccines are composed of anti-human dendritic cell (DC) surface receptor antibodies, including CD40, and E6/7 proteins of HPV16 and 18. The technology described is not limited to making vaccines against HPV16- and HPV18-related diseases and can be applied to making vaccines carrying E6/7 from any type of HPV. The HPV vaccines described can target DCs, major and professional antigen presenting cells (APCs), and can induce and activate potent HPV E6/7-specific and strong CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses. The HPV vaccines can be used for the prevention of HPV infection and HPV-related diseases as well as for the treatment of HPV-related diseases, including cancers.

Provided herein is technology relating to vaccines and particularly, but not exclusively, to compositions, methods, and uses of heterodimer vaccine molecules formed from monomers comprising a targeting unit and a variant antigenic unit joined by heterodimerization units.

The invention provides compositions and methods for inhibiting tumor growth by up-regulating and/or supplementing SOCS3 in tumor and/or tumor-associated tissues of a subject or in cells in vitro. Compounds capable of up-regulating SOCS3, including flavanones, or otherwise of up-regulating the ACh pathway, e.g., at the NMJ, are identified and provided, as are methods for identifying additional agents as inducers of SOCS3.

An immunogenic fusion protein for use as a mucosal vaccine is provided, which includes: i) one or more FcyR1-binding domains; ii) one or more antigens from one or more infectious disease organisms; and iii) one or more FcRn-binding domains.